Senior Techno Commercial Lead (Cape Town based)

SET Recruitment Consultants; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Techno-Commercial Lead – Renewable Energy in Cape Town seeks an experienced professional to drive technical and commercial development across wind, solar PV and BESS projects. You will oversee engineering, procurement, contracting and handover to implementation, coordinating cross-functional teams and stakeholders to deliver robust, competitive solutions.

Essential expertise includes a Master’s in Engineering, 5+ years in SA energy project leadership, and strong knowledge of FIDIC contracts and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering is essential.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in project management, contract management, engineering, procurement or techno-commercial management in SA energy sector.
• Experience managing procurement and/or construction of complex multidisciplinary power generation projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate technical, engineering, procurement and implementation resources through development and bidding lifecycle.
• Define project technical specs based on tender requirements, grid requirements and project constraints.
• Lead technical development and optimisation of utility-scale wind, solar PV and BESS projects.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies balancing cost, risk, quality, HSE and timelines.
• Coordinate procurement activities for major project packages in line with governance.
• Support negotiation and conclusion of major technical and commercial agreements.
• Review and validate key engineering, procurement and construction docs before handover.
• Manage multidisciplinary project teams and allocate technical resources effectively.
• Monitor budgets, identify cost-saving opportunities and improve project IRR.
• Develop and monitor project schedules and milestones.
• Identify and mitigate technical, commercial, contractual and delivery risks.
• Build strong relationships with EPCs, suppliers, Eskom, DMRE and lenders.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Negotiation skills

English communication

Education

Master’s degree in Engineering

Professional Engineer (ECSA)

PMP / PMI certification

Tools

MS Project

Primavera

FIDIC contracts knowledge

Job description

Techno-Commercial Lead – Renewable Energy

Location: Cape Town(must already reside in Cape Town)
Sector: Renewable Energy | Utility-Scale Wind, Solar & BESS
Employment Type: Permanent

A leading renewable energy Independent Power Producer is looking to appoint an experienced Techno-Commercial Lead to support the development and delivery of utility-scale renewable energy projects across South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

This is a senior, cross-functional position sitting at the intersection of engineering, procurement, project development and commercial management. The successful candidate will take ownership of the technical and commercial development of projects during the business development and bidding phases, ensuring projects are technically robust, commercially competitive and positioned for successful implementation.

The role will work across wind, solar PV and battery energy storage projects and will coordinate multidisciplinary internal and external stakeholders through development, procurement, contracting and handover to the implementation team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate technical, engineering, procurement and implementation resources throughout the project development and bidding lifecycle.
• Define project technical specifications based on tender requirements, permitting conditions, grid requirements and project constraints.
• Lead the technical development and optimisation of utility-scale wind, solar PV and BESS projects.
• Develop and implement project procurement strategies that optimise the balance between cost, risk, quality, HSE, programme, economic development requirements and project returns.
• Lead and coordinate procurement activities for major project packages while ensuring compliance with internal governance requirements and industry best practice.
• Support the negotiation, evaluation and conclusion of major technical and commercial agreements.
• Review and provide final validation of key engineering, procurement and construction documentation prior to project handover.
• Manage multidisciplinary project teams and ensure appropriate technical resources are allocated throughout the developmental process.
• Monitor project budgets, identify cost‑saving opportunities and support initiatives aimed at improving project IRR.
• Develop, monitor and manage project schedules and key development milestones.
• Identify, assess and mitigate technical, commercial, contractual and delivery risks.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including EPC contractors, technology suppliers, Eskom, DMRE, the IPP Office, lenders, Lender’s Technical Advisors and internal finance, insurance, legal and compliance teams.
• Support the negotiation, administration and close‑out of key project agreements including Power Purchase Agreements, Implementation Agreements, grid connection agreements, Use of System Agreements, Self‑Build Agreements and construction contracts.
• Ensure projects comply with Environmental Authorisations, Environmental Management Programmes, IFC/Equator Principle requirements and applicable South African environmental and occupational health and safety legislation.
• Ensure a structured and successful handover of projects from development into the implementation/construction phase.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Master’s degree in Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in project management, contract management, engineering, procurement or techno-commercial management within the South African energy sector.
• Demonstrated experience managing the procurement and/or construction of complex multidisciplinary power generation projects.

Preferred:

• Professional Engineer registration with ECSA, or currently progressing towards registration.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) registration with PMI, or currently progressing towards registration.
• Additional tertiary qualification in Project Management.

Technical & Commercial Experience

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong experience within utility‑scale renewable energy projects, preferably across wind, solar PV and/or BESS.
• Strong understanding of the technical design, construction and operational requirements of utility‑scale power projects.
• Excellent commercial acumen with the ability to understand and negotiate complex technical and commercial terms.
• Strong project management capability across scope, schedule, cost, quality, HSE and risk.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience working with FIDIC contracts.
• Demonstrated contract negotiation and contract management experience.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering, procurement and project teams.
• Working knowledge of MS Project and/or Primavera.
• Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and associated regulations.
• Working knowledge of IFC Performance Standards and/or Equator Principles.
• Understanding of the National Environmental Management Act and associated environmental legislation applicable to renewable energy and construction projects.
• Understanding of B‑BBEE requirements and REIPPPP Economic Development obligations.
• Strong stakeholder management, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Additional South African language capabilities would be advantageous.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced renewable energy professional who enjoys combining engineering, commercial strategy, procurement and project leadership.

You will play a key role in shaping large-scale renewable energy projects from development and bidding through to financial close and handover, while working with multidisciplinary teams on some of the region’s most significant wind, solar and energy storage developments.